Lufthansa Technik has officially begun construction of a new aircraft maintenance facility in Portugal, a major investment that is expected to create hundreds of jobs and strengthen the company’s global maintenance network. The 55,000-square-metre site, located in Santa Maria da Feira which is south of Porto, is scheduled to begin operations in 2028 and will focus on the repair of aircraft components and engine parts.
New facility to create 700 jobs
Lufthansa Technik said the project represents an investment worth hundreds of millions of euros and will create up to 700 jobs over the coming years.
The facility will be operated by Lufthansa Technik Portugal, a wholly owned subsidiary established in 2024. Once completed, the site will expand the company’s maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities as demand for aircraft maintenance continues to grow.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr said,
“With this investment by Lufthansa Technik, we are creating 700 highly skilled jobs and positioning Portugal as a cornerstone of European aviation maintenance.”
Investment strengthens Lufthansa’s presence in Portugal
The new maintenance centre forms part of Lufthansa Group’s wider expansion in Portugal. The group currently operates 353 weekly flights to destinations including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores through seven of its airline brands. As well as this, more than 500 employees already work across its Portuguese operations. The company also aims to create more than 1,000 direct jobs across its businesses in the country in the coming years.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro attended the ceremony alongside representatives from government, business and the aviation industry, highlighting the project’s significance for the country’s economy. During the event, Lufthansa Technik Portugal and Portugal’s trade and investment agency, AICEP, also signed their final agreement on investment incentives supporting the development of the new facility.
Lufthansa’s long term strategy
Lufthansa said the investment extends beyond the new maintenance site and forms part of a broader long-term commitment to Portugal, which also includes a TravelTech and AI Hub in northern Portugal and the establishment of a Portuguese branch of the Lufthansa Group’s charitable organisation, Helpalliance.
Together, these investments complement the new maintenance facility by strengthening Lufthansa Group’s operational and technological presence in Portugal. While the new site will focus on aircraft component and engine repairs, the wider initiatives support innovation, digital capabilities and long-term workforce development.
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